HHS Board Media Policy
NHC Health and Human Services Procedures
Subject: HHS Board Media Policy
Date of Origin: 8/17/2021
Item Number: HHS-035
PURPOSE AND SCOPE: To ensure the consistency of information disseminated to media, the following policy shall
be followed:
• All media inquiries regarding New Hanover County staff, programs, services, policies, and other areas specific
to county operations, are to be coordinated through the New Hanover County Communications and Outreach
Department. Media inquiries focused solely on Health and Human Services Board recommendations, rules, or
meetings and activities can be coordinated by the board chair and/or vice-chair, in direct collaboration with the
Health and Human Services director and Communications and Outreach Department.
• All press releases or other promotional material regarding Health and Human Services programs and services
are to be coordinated through the New Hanover County Communications and Outreach Department, with
review and approval of Health and Human Services Board-related material from the board chair and Health and
Human Services director.
PROCEDURE: Health and Human Services Board members are experts in their field of practice and/or service. Media
inquiries regarding a board member’s expertise, business or area of work is to be responded to as the board member
sees fit. Board members are asked to let Communications and Outreach know of media interviews for awareness.
For media inquiries focused solely on Health and Human Services Board recommendations, rules, or meetings and
activities, please refer them to the board chair, who is then responsible for working directly with the Health and
Human Services director and Communications and Outreach Department to help coordinate a response and/or
interviews.
For media inquiries regarding New Hanover County staff, programs, services, policies, and other areas specific to
county operations, please refer them to New Hanover County Communications and Outreach for response and/or
interview coordination.
OTHER INFORMATION:
Communications & Outreach Department – Main Contact:
Joshua Smith, Chief Communications Officer – joshsmith@nhcgov.com, 910-798-7407
CHANGE HISTORY:
Version Date Comments
A 08/17/2021 Original Document
Annual review 08/15/23